For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for September 19, 2021

Uh… sure. At least I didn’t do after a school sports or clubs when I was in high school. Well, there was being on the school newspaper staff in twelfth grade.

This sounds like the schedules of my nieces and nephew. I wonder if they’ll still be into a billion activities when they grow up? I was just in choir, and I ain’t in no choir.

If Elizabeth takes skating lessons (which I believe she does), you don’t skate one day a week. At minimum, she would be skating 2-3 times a week. I remember she performed in a skating show, so she is not just skating for fun on a public session. I’m speaking from a skater’s perspective here. I am an adult figure skater who competes and does shows. I skate 6-8 hours a week and that’s not even a lot….but all my old body can manage.

One question Liz, When does Mom get a break to do something for herself?

With Elly being such a drama queen, Elizabeth will be a natural for the drama club!

“Isn’t it nice to get back into a routine?”

I’ll let you know once we get the whole virus thing under control and have a chance to get back into a routine. But everyone has to do their responsible part first.

Why does Michael need to be driven anywhere? Did he not just recently get his driver’s license?

Be glad they like such nice wholesome activities Elly.

Wait. Mike has a driver’s license and can drive his sister to the mall by himself, but he isn’t allowed to drive himself to the college campus?

My mom was lucky, she only had to ferry me to one place—my horse-back riding lesson on Saturday afternoon, where I would then hang around until evening helping with the horses. In exchange for the “taxi” service, I did all the household laundry in the morning before I left for my lesson—she got the laundry done plus a free afternoon to chill and maybe canoodle a little with my dad.

School was what I did 9am to 3pm only plus traveling time, thank goodness. The traveling time was often quite an adventure at times.

So, when are they supposed to do homework?

No problem, as long as you walk there yourself.

At least they are not spending time in front of the television.

I always wanted to go home, at least eventually. Didn’t join nothing, still don’t.

Most kids these days prefer to just sit in their bedrooms on their computers.

There’s such a thing as being over scheduled. Where do they get time for sleep and homework? Some sports will have so many games/practices they limit what ever else you can be in. In high school our son was in band, taekwondo and archery and even with 3 activities there were still occasional conflicts.

I thought Mike had his driver’s license.

I didn’t know Elizabeth sang.

Not our school district

My kids could have ONE activity that involved me driving them anywhere. So for 2 kids I had 2 days of driving them around. That was enough for me.

As long as the kids can figure out how to get to their events and pay(mostly) for their toys it sounds great.

Don’t forget the slide rule club for science geeks

Those CPR classes got boring after a few months. The endless repetition of “Staying Alive” with some wiseacre chanting “Another One Bites the Dust.” I would have thought one evening would be enough, but I suppose not.

I always had to walk or take the bus back when the dinosaurs roamed.

It’s driving Elly crazy!

I’m not much of a joiner. Never was…never will be. You need to join things if you want to shine in the popularity circles, if that is your goal.

At least Elly’s kids don’t have to deal with being bussed across town to another school. I have older cousins who were forced to do that, and it was a huge disaster.

My parents didn’t allow any extracurricular activities, I had to come straight home and take care of my quadriplegic sister, six year old sister, and baby brother until bedtime…then I started on my homework. However, with my kids, I was happy to chauffer! They’re only young once. ;)

What about time to study

Where do they get the energy?

In the 1970s and 1980s there were endless drug scares and it was decided by many that children needed to do things to keep away from drugs. Programs of all type proliferated to the point that 6 years olds needed Day-Timers to keep track of everything. And it continues to this day. No free time for anyone. No time for day dreaming or thinking or reading for pleasure. And don’t get me started on car pool scheduling.

I think Mom is saying, when are you going to do your homework?

What’s wrong, Helly? Aren’t YOU the one who screamed bloody murder every time you saw the kids sitting in front of the TV!?

I always had lots of activities going on while I was in high school. My sister didn’t. My son was active in lots of school activities, but my daughter wasn’t. Some people are joiners and others aren’t I rode the city bus or walked to my activities and we lived close to my son’s high school so he walked or used my car.

Yes what about homework? when does that get done?

CPR is eight hours.

As Franklin of PEANUTS once said——“I lead a very active Tuesday”